Wheel-mounted adjustable frame crutch



May 6, 1930; c. SMOOT 1,757,784

WHEEL- MOUNTED ADJUSTABLE FRAME CRU'I'CH Filed Sept. 24. 1928 INVENTOR10,, C Jmoa/ Patented May 6, 1930 UNITED, STATES- LON C. SHOOT, .01DALLAS, TEXAS WHEEL-MOUNTED ADJUSTABLE FRAME GRUTCH w Application filedSeptember This invention ,appe'rtains to new and useful improvements inwheel mounted ad ustable frame crutches, especlally designed for growingchildren as well as adults of difi'er- 1 ent statures. i

' Theprimary object of the invention is to provide a wheel mountedadjustable frame crutch for-supporting and assisting invalids anddeformed persons who lack power and confidence to walk after illnessfrom disease or-injury.

Another object of the invention is to provide a wheel mounted framecrutch provided with apair of crutch membershaving rollers at theirlower ends and held in adjustably spaced relation whereby the device maybe adapted for use by persons of different sizes, each crutch memberbeing furthermore longitudinally adjustable to accommodate 2 0 thedevice to persons of diflerent statures.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device embodying allof the aforementioned features that will be of simple and durablestructure and yet be of nominal cost with maximum results for thepurposes intended.

A particular feature of the invention is the provision of a wheeledcrutch having an overhead bar, by which the user may lift himself off ofthe bed and onto the crutch arm pieces without additional aid; therebeing a long handled hook provided near the bed withwhich the afilictedperson may pull the crutch to the bed. The overhead bar is further inthegymnasium bar, also during walking exercise, the user may hold himselfup by the overhead bar when he tires of the arm pieces.

A construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter;described together with other features of the invention.

The invention will be more readily under-- tended to be usedfor'exercising similar to 24, 1928. Serial No. 307,861.

" Figure dis a cross sectional view taken on I the line 33 of Figure l,and

Figure 4 is an enlarged detail of the adjustment means. v

Employing like characters of reference for corresponding partsthroughout, the reference numeral 10 designates an upright supportingframe in its entirety, said frame is composed of .a plurality of uprightbars 11 which telescope into hollow or pipe members 12. The lower endsof the bars 11 are suitably connected' to a U-shaped .frame member 7 13having aplurality of suitable casters 14. However, it is to beunderstood that either roller, bearing or wheel may be used advan-'tageously. Set screws or equivalents 15 are screwthrea'ded through thehollow members 12 into engagement with the bars 11, thus 7 providingvertical adjustment for difieren't height users.

The frame 10 is made preferably with a pair of bars 11 telescoping intoa pair of hollow members 12 forming each side of said frame. At theupper end of the rear member 12 which is shorter than the forward mem- 7ber, a piece of spring metal 16 supports the rear end of a suitableshoulder rest 17 whose forward end is attached to the member 12 by anysuitable means such as bolts, rivets, screws, etc. Intermediate theshoulder rest and the end of the member 12 is suitably fastened a handgrip 18. It is obvious that both the shoulder rest and the hand gripmaybe made of any suitable material.

The'upper portions of the forward members 12 are slightly flaredoutward, one of" which has a horizontal bar 19 telescoping into a hollowmember. 20 of the other forward member 12 whichhas a set screw 21 in it,thus providing horizontal adjustment for differ ent width,shoulders. J I

The apparatus consists of a strong but very light frame, open at therear to admit the. adult or child and is provided preferably with fourrubber tired, ball bearing casters, one on each corner of the frame.These cast- .ers may be equipped with swivel locking at-- tachments sothat ifdesired the front or rear caster swivels may be locked makingthem stationary. It is preferable, however, to

' keep all swivels loose to allow theapparatus to be turned in thesmallest possible space as will be required in exercising in the averagehome, so the apparatus may e moved in any direction quickly and with thesmallest possible efi'ort.

The apparatus is so constructed to allow the user to approach the diningtable and having a chair placed for him, may sit down during the meal,the apparatusbeing pushed back slightly so as not to interfere with. themovement of the arms during the meal and when the meal is finished heagain lifts himself by the overhead bar back onto the crutch arm pieces.

obtain books from the library shelf or table hospital. Under presentpractices two atpieces are adjustable for difierent heights and tendantsare required to hold a patient up while he is learning to walk again.

For hospital use the apparatus is preferably nickel-plated for sanitaryreasons; For the use of a patient in his home ordinary paint, preferablywhite, may be used thereby cutting down the cost of manufacture and alsothe cost to the patient.

Ordinary crutch hand grips are provided so that when the adult or childhas gained sufficient power in his lower limbs he may lift the apparatuswhen desiring to turn quickly in small spaces.

The frame of the apparatus is so con structed as to have a base broaderthan any adult and under this construction the arm widths suitable .fordifierent sizes of adults or children.

In the overhead bar means is provided, for

adjustment of the width of the arm pieces.

The overhead bar is also used in tying the two crutch members togethergiving rigidity to the whole construction. Obviously, this bar may beplaced in front of the patient by ofisetting the uprights but it ispreferable to place the bar overhead for reasons as above stated,leaving the front ofthe patient unobstructed.

A seat or swing1may be attached tothe ap e patient may'sit down to Theconstruction allows him to" patients. Also this detachable covering forthe resilient arm pieces may be used by individual owners of apparatusfor sanitary reasons and to prevent discoloring of the clothes fromperspiration in warm weather due to fading of the resilient substance ofwhich the arms pieces are constructed.

Various cha ges in the size and shape of the different parts, as well asmodifications :and alterations may be made within the scope of theappended claims.

Having now described this invention and explained the mode of itsoperation, what I claim for my invention is:

1. In a crutch of the character described, the combination of the framemember 13 mounted upon the casters 14, and to which member are connectedthe paired uprights 11, spaced apart centrally on the member 13; thepaired hollow members 10 and 12 forming telescopic companion members foreach crutch element, the hollow horizontal member 20 and the horizontalbar 19 telescopable therein and forming the overhead element;including'the set screws 15 and 21 for adjusting the parts verticallyand horizontally, with the handgrips 18 and shoulder rests 17.

. 2. In a crutch combination of the character described and as claimedin claim 1 which has the hollow members 12 diverging outwardly andextending .upwardly from the shoulder rests 17 and whereinthe hollowhorizontal member 20, horizontal bar 19 with the set screw 21 form anoverhead means for en'- abling the occupant of the crutch to be seatedon a support ofi the crutch and for regaining access to the crutchwithout other assist- N C. SMOOT.

rest if desired. There are various methods by which this may be done.

There are certain cases of paralysis'of the upper limbs that will .notpermit of use. of

the arm pieces. In this case a wide belt is placed around the chest ofthe patient'and he is swung from the overhead'bar, or the up.-

rights. A combination saddle-swing and

